Optimism is the word that best captures the spirit of the State of the Union address. On Tuesday night, the country came together to hear from President Trump. From wherever you sat in the House chamber or in front of the TV at home, the message he delivered was unequivocally strong, highlighting important boosts in America’s economic confidence in the past year as well as laying out opportunities for Congress and the Administration to work together.

Over the past year, we have witnessed a booming economy. Thanks to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, many Americans have already seen an increase in their paychecks, and hundreds of job creators have pledged bonuses or raises for employees as well as new investments in the United States. This includes Lynchburg-based Bank of the James, which will increase its minimum wage to $15 because of the new tax law, as well as companies with a local presence like Walmart, Comcast, and Wells Fargo. These benefits make a big difference for many hardworking families in the Sixth District. We’ve also seen concrete progress in the fight against ISIS, and real policy changes to undo the burdensome regulations of the Obama era.

The President also outlined his priorities for the future, including the need to keep our borders secure. I have worked hard with my colleagues in the House to craft the Securing America’s Future Act, which is built on the priorities outlined in the President’s agenda that will increase border security and interior enforcement, crack down on sanctuary cities, curb gang violence, and provide DACA recipients a reasonable, long-term legislative solution. This bill also ends failed programs, like the visa lottery, that have brought dangerous individuals into the United States. I look forward to working with the White House to ensure we have an immigration system that works for America.

We heard about the need to reform our prison system, which I remain committed to working on in a bipartisan fashion as part of reforms to our nation’s criminal justice system. Additionally, I am glad President Trump mentioned the importance of providing help to those addicted to opioids. This is an issue that hits close to home for far too many in the Sixth District, and it cannot be swept under the rug. President Trump was also right in saying that America’s infrastructure needs help. Whether it is highways, bridges, or deployment of rural broadband, I will continue to look for ways in the months ahead that I can work with the Administration to provide improvements to these systems and eliminate unnecessary red tape that often stands in the way of projects to strengthen our transportation, telecommunication, and utility systems.

There is more work to be done to create greater opportunity for families in Virginia’s Sixth District and across the country. I will continue to work with the White House to advance policy changes to create an America that is safe, strong, and proud. The state of our Union is bright.